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As a CFA and CFP program partner, we prepare students for careers in investments through coursework related to the program and help them develop knowledge in studies related to real estate, risk management, insurance, and business law. Our vision is to be recognized among the Top 20 departments of finance at public universities for excellence in the production, dissemination, and application of financial knowledge.

Our faculty has compiled a strong record of excellence in research and teaching, creating exciting educational opportunities for our students. Additionally, major media outlets seek out our faculty members often because of their expertise in the financial world.

Students in finance can take advantage of our innovative, challenging, high quality learning experiences, including the Securities Markets Analysis Research & Trading (SMART) Lab. Complete with Bloomberg terminals, the SMART Lab is a simulated trading floor that students use to research firms and to advise the LSU Foundation on how to invest in LSU’s Tiger Fund. The department offers three degrees:

The Bachelor of Science in Finance – A 120-hour program that focuses on how individuals, businesses, and organizations acquire and utilize capital (i.e. money). Two basic elements of finance include the tradeoff between expected returns and risk and the importance of timing of future cash flows.

The Master of Science in Finance – A 36-hour program of non-thesis course work that is intended to be a full-time, three-semester program. Students are required to successfully complete at least 18 hours of finance courses, including three required courses. The remaining 18 hours should be chosen to support career goals.

The Accelerated Master of Science in Finance - An accelerated program, allowing students to accumulate graduate credit while still pursuing an undergraduate degree in finance and earn both in four or four-and-a-half years, is also available.

The JD/MS in Finance - Students may also pursue a JD/CL-MS in finance, offered concurrently with the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center

The PhD in Finance – A curriculum that teaches students how to critically analyze the extant literature and empirical evidence of the theory of finance to devise and execute new research and to demonstrate functional knowledge of finance through effective teaching.